President Museveni hints on Country’s political and economic gains as he decorates 33 Ugandans for their contribution

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hinted at Uganda’s improved political and economic gains at the 40th National Liberation Day Celebrations as he decorated 33 awardees for their selfless contribution to Uganda’s development at the event under the theme “A Tribute to the Patriots Who Ushered in the Fundamental Change”.

President Museveni scoffed at critics of the NRM government who he said are shameless by continuously discrediting the vivid achievements made by Uganda over the years that include among others the peace and stability, socioeconomic development, wealth creation initiatives among others.

While speaking at the 40th National Liberation Day Celebrations at Kololo Independence Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, President Museveni thanked Ugandans and the entire NRM fraternity for turning out to vote massively to defend and protect the gains made by the country so far.

President Museveni explains that Uganda’s economy has swiftly evolved through the 5 transformative phases that include minimum economic recovery, expansion of the economy, diversification of the economy, President Museveni explains that Uganda’s economy has swiftly evolved through the 5 transformative phases that include Minimum Economic Recovery, Expansion of the Economy, Diversification of the Economy, Value Addition and now to the knowledge economy.

President Museveni assured the country of a double digit economic growth trend effective this year when Uganda’s first oil exploitation programs materialize and noted that the NRM government has been able to restore and grow the national economy from limping where previous regimes had left it at only US 3.9 billion dollars to now over US 60 billion dollars growing averagely at 7% and expected to double it this year with the ongoing oil exploitation programs and explained that his major focus now is to enroll the few remaining 30% proportion of the population into the money economy.

President Museveni said that Uganda’s production capacity for all categories of products required by the local market has hit 65% as found in sales points including supermarkets and shops countrywide and revealed the NRM government’s strategic interventions to build local capacity production and self reliance in the 4 core sectors of the Economy that include commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT.

He listed government’s strategic areas of focus moving forward as he warned the judiciary against corruption as a major hinderence for access to justice and mentioned socioeconomic development areas that include free universal education in all government schools, free health care services, establishment of a national roads maintenance program and expansion of wealth and job creation initiatives.

President Museveni has confirmed how Uganda’s balance of payments has emerged with surplus of US 2.37 billion dollars worth of exports which is a historical landmark achievement attributed to the strategic leadership strides of the NRM government. 

He ordered for review of Parish Development Model regulations and ordered the arrest officials cited in extortion and theft of PDM funds as he pinned some Parish Chiefs, Parish focal persons and Parish Sacco Chairpersons for abuse of the program in some areas.

He noted that the Parish Development Model initiative as silver bullet to end poverty in households will not be left to waste by errant officials and he has ordered to dissolution of wrongly formulated PDM committees and reaffirmed government plans to increase PDM funds for Saccos in urban Areas to receive between Ugx 300 to Ugx 400 million annually up from the current Ugx 100 million allocation 

He warned indisciplined sections of NRM leaders, opposition politicians with terroristic conduct and corrupt individuals against their actions, saying that such vices affected the voter turnout in the just concluded Presidential, Parliament and local government elections and cautioned opposition politicians with terroristic tendencies and sections of indisciplined NRM leaders against their strategies.

The Award recipients were decorated with medals that included the Crested Crane–Grand Commander, National Independence Diamond Jubilee Medal, Nalubale Medal, Masaba Star, Luweero Triangle Medal, Personal Sacrifice Award and the Meritorious Service Award drawn from different sectors.

These included Justice Emeritus Ralph Ochan, Barot Harshad Maganbai.  Ikokoro Okware, Ms Teddy Naluwu, Ms Rwamunono Nathan, Dakta Onesimus, Dr Steven Watiti, Dr Mugamba Paul Francis, Ms Violet Kekitanda, Mzee Bukokosi James, Kiwanuka JohnMary, Kiiza Evelyn, Mbabazi Maryeeyan, Mbabazi Norah.

Others included Lt Gen Francis Okello, Brig Gen Kefa Nangeso, Col Moses Ikuret, Col Hamuzata Mukata, Lt. col. Mercy Adda, Warrant Officer Ssemakula Bosco, Warrant Officer Muramira Gerald, Staff Sergeant Eongor Girigorio, Hajji Bogere Abdu, PPC Kwaja Charles, D/IP Kyakuwaire Betty, ASP Masaba Moses, IP Tushabe Silver, AIP Nankungu Sarah, Yusuf Mukembo, Anthanasi Ous Nyawe, John Peter Opado, Nasimbwa Harriet and Opikason Tarantino.

While speaking at the same event, the Minister for Presidency Hon Milly Babirye Babalanda noted that Uganda’s current development trajectory is a clear reflection of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the NRM government’s transformative leadership as affirmed to in the just concluded presidential elections where the NRM presidential candidate General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni garnered over 70% of votes in reflection of the populace’s trust.

Minister Babalanda further explained the difference gains for the country under the stewardship of the NRM government and called on the population to actively involve in National development efforts 

The event was attended by the Vice President Major Jessica Alupo Epel, the NRM National Vice Chairperson Alhaji Moses Kigongo, the NRM National Vice Chairperson female Rt Hon Anita Among who doubles as the Speaker of Parliament, the newly sworn in Chief Justice Dr Flavoan Zeija, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, the Prime Minister Rt Hon Robinah Nabbanja, top religious leaders, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and top National Resistance Movement Party Secretariat Management among many others.